A TRANSCRIPT which reveals the final words of a former Derbyshire air ambulance pilot who was killed in a helicopter crash in central London has been released by air accident investigators.
Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries when the helicopter he was flying clipped a high-rise crane on The Tower at St George Wharf, Vauxhall, south London, last week.
Pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, was also killed as he walked to work.
A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) revealed the pilot completed a radio conversation with air traffic control seven seconds before the crash.
Mr Barnes requested to land at London Heliport in Battersea.
He asked: "Is Battersea open, do you know?"
After being told the heliport was open, he replied: "If I could head to Battersea that would be very useful."
Just 15 seconds before hitting the crane, air traffic control told the pilot: "Battersea diversion approved, you're cleared to Battersea."
His final words were: "Thanks a lot."
Mr Barnes was a former pilot for the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance and helped to save lives across the region.
